HUAWEI Technologies Co., China s largest telecommunications equipment maker, won a court order barring Motorola Solutions Inc. from disclosing confidential information about Huawei s technology to Nokia Siemens Networks, which plans to buy Motorola s wireless networks business.
U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman in Chicago on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order against disclosures by Motorola, according to a court filing. The judge ordered the company to notify the court within 24 hours of any decision by China s antitrust authorities to approve the pending US$1.2 billion acquisition.
Huawei, based in Shenzhen, sued Motorola and Nokia Siemens on Tuesday, saying Motorola hadn t provided assurances that it would prevent disclosures about Huawei technology and products to its rival Nokia Siemens. Motorola since 2000 has sold Huawei s wireless-network products under the Motorola name.
Nick Sweers, a spokesman for Schaumburg, Illinois-based Motorola Solutions, declined to comment on the order. He said Tuesday the lawsuit was without merit.
Motorola Inc. spun off its mobile-devices business this month into a new company, Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. Motorola Solutions provides communications products and services to businesses and governments. It announced plans to sell its wireless-networks unit to Nokia Siemens last July.
Huawei said in its complaint that the transaction would result in the massive disclosure of Huawei s confidential information to a competitor, Nokia Siemens.
This is the first lawsuit Huawei has filed in the United States, Bill Plummer, a spokesman for Huawei, said Tuesday in an interview. The claims include misappropriation of trade secrets, copyright infringement and breach of contract.
Motorola has spent US$878 million on Huawei s technology since the companies formed their agreement in 2000, according to court papers.
Motorola, in a lawsuit filed in Chicago in 2008, accused Huawei of conspiring with former Motorola employees to steal trade secrets.
Carol DeMatteo, a spokeswoman for Nokia Siemens Networks, didn t return calls yesterday seeking comment on the restraining order. She said yesterday the company did not comment on pending lawsuits.
Huawei, which is closely held, reported revenue of US$21.8 billion in 2009. (SD-Agencies)
